July 20, 2010

After the art show

The art show was held in an old mansion in Little Town on Big River. The building included a room full of looms for weaving and a pottery studio out back. We milled about looking at the paintings that hung on the wall, sipping wine and cold water. Several old women were busy at the looms, weaving bright yarns together. Every guest was given a slip of paper and asked to vote for the “People’s Choice.” My father won the award for his painting of haystacks, although he says he only won it because he had so many family members at the show.

"I think my grandchildren stacked the ballot box," he said. It's true that he's probably the only artist in the show who brought 17 family members to the opening reception.

Because it had been hot all week long, we were drawn to the water edge after we left the show. The deep cold water of Big River that Runs Between Two Countries looked tempting. On the big pier, the family gathered, and it was only a matter of time before everyone began stripping off clothes and leaping into the water.

The top photo shows various members of my extended family: That’s Boy in Black on the far left, who clearly has already been in the water, and you can probably spot Shaggy Hair’s ponytail. The oldest couple – right in the middle of the photo – are my parents. The woman in the blue dress jumping in the bottom photo is my sister.